Lieutenant General Simon Hamilton is poised to assume the British Army’s next Deputy Chief of the General Staff, subsequent to his period as temporary Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), per the agency.
In April, Hamilton will assume the position, taking over from Lieutenant General Sir David Eastman, having concluded his present duties at the end of March. In his capacity as DCGS, he will be accountable for force design, supervising staff and skill advancement to guarantee the Army remains prepared for forthcoming missions.
His designation comes after a career encompassing operational command, capability development, and leading positions within DE&S, such as Director General Land and Deputy CEO, alongside prior endeavors in transport aid and supply chain management.
Within his new capacity, Hamilton is anticipated to fulfill a pivotal function in molding the Army’s forthcoming configuration and aptitudes, which encompasses fostering connections with industry and aiding the provision of contemporary mechanisms.
Hamilton expressed anticipation for the position, remarking “it is an immense honor to have been selected, and I anticipate this fresh endeavor.”
Pondering over his period at DE&S, he further stated “this latest segment has been a great honor; rendered feasible by the admirable individuals I have had the opportunity to collaborate with.” He also suggested that his knowledge in procurement and project execution would guide his methodology, observing “as DCGS, I hope to apply what I’ve gained at DE&S to reinforce the collaboration between the Army and the National Armaments Director Group.”
The Deputy Chief of the General Staff functions as the Army’s deputy commander, assisting the Chief of the General Staff and heading initiatives on troop enhancement and aptitude strategizing.

